“With few sessions of therapies and the knee protector the physiotherapist will give to you there shouldn’t be much trouble” The doctor said to the two young men in front of him

“See? You are over worried ba- Jihoonnie” Seungcheol ruffled Jihoon’s hair

“Shut up Dr. Lee still has few things to say, I’m sure” Jihoon said unbothered with Seungcheol messing up with his hair

“He’s right, you know this problem will be worse if you didn’t take care of your knees well in future right? You shouldn’t overdo yourself for the next few weeks, do some stretching first before you go into your routine, drink those vitamins I’ve prescribed for you and…” The doctor grinned mischievously to Jihoon who was nodding his head in agreement “Don’t make your boyfriend worried again, be a good boy to him will you?” The doctor laughed when jicheol couple blushed immediately “It’s ok boys, we’ve known each other for so long, now, go take your vitamins, and don’t forget what I say, I don’t want to see any of you in my clinic again alright? Be healthy, you both are still young”

Seungcheol bit his lips when Jihoon remained quiet after their visit to orthopedic clinic that afternoon, trying to recall what he had done wrong. The couple quietly went into their favorite burger joint and took the most corner seat with a wall hid two of them well

“What do you want to eat? I’ll order for you” Seungcheol offered

“The usual one” Jihoon said without even looking at Seungcheol’s eyes, well at least the younger still responded to Seungcheol’s question. Seungcheol smiled bitterly and went to order their food. Jihoon still in statue mode when Seungcheol brought their food, the leader sighed staring at his boyfriend’s sullen mood, he took one fries and put it in front of Jihoon’s lips finally brought the younger’s attention, Jihoon looked at the fries then to Seungcheol, the older mouthed ‘eat’ but Jihoon ignored it and just took his own fries and chewed it calmly

“Okay, this is real bad, whatever it is please tell me Jihoonnie, I can’t live with you ignoring my presence like this” Seungcheol folded his arms together in front of his chest

“Nothing, go eat your food, you need to take your vitamins” Jihoon said while chewing on his burger soullessly

“We’ve been together for more than 7 years, do you think I wouldn’t notice that something is bothering you right now? Let’s cut that kind of crap and spill everything to me” Seungcheol surprised when suddenly Jihoon looked up from his food to his eyes, staring at him intensely

“Right, since you brought it up, yeah it’s been more than 7 years and you should know why I act like this”

“I know you are worried about me baby, but I’m fine, you’ve heard what Dr. Lee told both of us, I’ll be fine as long as I wear the knee protection and ate those good for bone vitamins he prescribed to me” Seungcheol raised up his voice feeling tired of arguing with the younger for the second time on that day, first was when Jihoon insisted Seungcheol to go see a doctor for his knee problem

“It’s not about worried anymore hyung!” Jihoon raised up his voice too

“Then what?! Tell me!” Seungcheol was not going to extend the argument with them any longer, it started to hurt him more than his knee

“I wish it was that simple as worries, it’s about how you hide it from me!”

“I’m not hiding it from you I …”

“I what?! It’s clearly you’ve been hiding your pain from me! like you’ve said hyung, it’s been more than 7 years and yet you still hide this kind of thing from me like I’m a stranger!” both of them remained silent after that, Jihoon could see guilt filled up Seungcheol’s face, while he himself trying to control his anger “You make me feel useless… you make me feel I’m nothing…” Jihoon finally let out his thought he had been holding ever since he knew Seungcheol was suffering from knee pain for the past few weeks. Seungcheol closed his eyes washing out all the guilt, the moment Jihoon said he was feeling useless was the moment he knew he was all along was the one in fault. He didn’t want to make Jihoon worried with what he had been feeling, the younger had a tough week thinking what kind of music he needs to make for seventeen comeback next time, he didn’t want to add on the younger’s burden but now he knew it was useless, the younger has been with him for 7 years, through his up and down there was once they had a big fight because of the same thing, hiding each other feeling and they promised that they would never do that but Seungcheol broke it this time, and he would do anything as long as he could gain back the trust from Jihoon.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry Ji” when the younger still looked down on his food, Seungcheol brought his hand to Jihoon’s cheek and caressed it gently “this happened before isn’t it? I’m sorry that again I broke that promise, but with so much things happening these days I don’t want to add on any burden to you” Seungcheol smiled when Jihoon finally looked up

“We’ve been sharing each other’s burden since years ago, don’t stop doing that hyung, at least that simple thing makes me special, isn’t that what cou-“ Jihoon took a deep breath before he continued “Couple do” Jihoon blushed on the last word he said makes Seungcheol grinned happily

“Alright alright my sweet baby, I promise you I won’t hide anything from you anymore”

“Even if I was under stress”

“Even if you were under stress” Seungcheol promised, he smiled widely when Jihoon finally looked relax, immediately he took the chance to leaned his body forward and kiss the younger quickly

“HYUNG!” Jihoon protested

“Isn’t that the way we seal our promise?” Seungcheol winked and laughed when Jihoon kicked his shin from under the table

“Don’t you think it is over, after this be ready to be nagged by me everyday, I will make sure you take your medicines on the time, make sure you wear your knee protection all the time and attend all your rehab sessions!” Jihoon started to chew on his fries again

“Ow… playing nurse role now aren’t you Jihoonnie? y – OUCH! Ya! At this point my shin will be the one who need protection!” Seungcheol rubbed his shin which was kicked for the second time on that day

“You deserve it” Jihoon rolled his eyes watching Seungcheol being over dramatic again “Get well soon hyung” Jihoon said quietly but Seungcheol still could hear the sincerity on it

“I will baby, thank you” Seungcheol smiled fondly

Because it hurts me more to see you in pain…